Assassin’s Creed 4 has around five hours of modern gameplay

When it comes to the Assassin’s Creed series, many people either love or hate the modern day sequences with Desmond. Many hoped after the events of Assassin’s Creed III that modern day gameplay would be kept to a minimum, instead firmly rooting the series in its rich historical gameplay. Unfortunately that’s not the case, as director Ashraf Ismail has revealed that up to five hours of present day content will be waiting for those who want it, but those who don’t can breeze through it in just 20 minutes.

This is an interesting approach as it lends further gameplay to those who want to play in the modern era of assassins and templars, but it begs the question of how 5 hours of content can be condensed into 20 minutes and still get the meaning across for players who don’t want that extra content. Ismail’s comments on the reveal are below:

“We pretty much tried to boil it down to its most core essence because we know there are people out there who really don’t like the present day, and that’s okay. You don’t have to like it, but it’s part of the brand. For the people who like the present day and are big fans, we put in a lot of fan service and a lot of fun optional content. You get to choose if you want it or not.”

It’s interesting to note that in that statement, Ismail acknowledges that several people don’t like the modern sequences, but despite that they’ll remain in the series. How long until we get an Assassin’s Creed game fully set in the present, or near future? Would the move to a present or futuristic setting sully the experience for you at all, given the fact that the series has been about exploring the past? Let us know in the comments.

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Sydney Ultrasyd

Today, I was at the book store to find exhaustive historical stuff about pirates. Preparing for AC IV
I don’t care about the present day … 20 mins sounds fine to me. But who knows, maybe they will make it great and itneresting, it’s good to know there is plenty of things to do there if you want to.

http://about.me/overlordror Ashley King

If you’re looking for information on famous pirates, definitely check out the likes of Edward Teach, Calico Jack Rackham, Black Bart, and Benjamin Hornigold. They’re all colorful characters with a rich history.

For example, did you know Calico Jack kept two women on his ship as crewmates? Ann Bonny and Mary Read were two famous female pirates that sailed the high seas with him.

Assassinated23

Most likely there is 5-10 minutes at the beginning and 10-15 minutes at the end that is mandatory for the story. In between you’ll likely be able to leave the animus at will and complete optional side content in the present, much like Brotherhood.

Nintenjoe82

I hope they’ve moved on from AC3’s “walk your character to every location in the game to advance the storyline” mechanics. There was a painful couple of hours near the end where all it was doing was loading and quick travelling.

JBeauregard

This is my opinion, but this game has slid hard for me starting with AC3. I won’t be picking this up at all. If I want to sail a boat, I’ll play Wind Waker HD.

Mario

Wait a sec? If Desmond is you now what, then who will people play as?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMVlNPjpbI The Devourer of Dimensions

For AC4, it’s an Abstergo employee.

Mario

Oh.

Dez

The one thing that always bothered me about the modern stuff was that it always feels like a break from the story at an inconvenient time. Well, that, and the warning they give you of this new content is pretty disappointing. I burnt through most of Revelations without realizing I missed half of Desmond’s stuff since it doesn’t even bother to let you really know it is there. I just feel burnt out on Assassin’s Creed honestly, I don’t like the pirates thing much. I’m waiting for Watch Dogs though, I hope Ubisoft really delivers with it on Wii U.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMVlNPjpbI The Devourer of Dimensions

What really frustrated me about Assassin’s Creed III was the fact they spent 5 games trying to build Desmond as their saviour by training him. Then they just wasted it all on like 3 present day missions that were so boring.

Rinslowe

Yep, totally agree. Desmond ultimately felt like an afterthought and a martyr by the end of the game. There was so much more potential there…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMVlNPjpbI The Devourer of Dimensions

There should’ve been more modern day sequences with interesting and engaging gameplay.

Rinslowe

Yes man! A lot of peeps would’ve been warm to that idea…
Did they feel that too many people would make the connection between the splinter cell series and modern day desmond for eg?
Sounds to me like a huge opp for a cross over… Or I’m just high on coffee right now! Probably the latter.

tomtank91

what another pile of crap. Ubisoft are EAing and Capcoming there game. Assassins Creed was a great game. Now its looking like a piece of crap.

discuss

I don’t understand why you are mad. You can skip the modern day content if you like. You are mad because they give you the choise?

tomtank91

It’s not the choice thing it’s the fact the games since revelations have been crap

discuss

I think AC3 was the best one so far. I pre-ordered AC4 because it looks awesome. I have Rayman Legends which is also awsome and in the future I will probably also get Watchdogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMVlNPjpbI The Devourer of Dimensions

AC4 will probably be my overall favourite next to ACIII and ACII, because I REALLY love Pirates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMVlNPjpbI The Devourer of Dimensions

Despite the fact it was radically overhauled for the better in AC III mechanically as well as story wise too (I personally preferred the much darker tone in AC III to previous ones), is apparently crap in your eyes?

tomtank91

What story? Desmond went on too long and then the ending again was bad. Conner story is ok but the gameplay lacked abit and he isn’t an assassin technically. The game and the story isn’t no longer about assassins like in the brotherhood. The whole feel of Assassins Creed no longer exists. Just like Resident basically.